The Oakland Athletics’ proposed move to Las Vegas has stalled without a vote from the Nevada Legislature on a proposed funding package.
The backstory: The team had reached an agreement with the Bally’s Corporation to build a potential 30,000-seat stadium on the Las Vegas Strip, but the $1.5 billion project cannot proceed without public funds.
- The A’s were initially seeking $500 million from Clark County, but agreed on up to $380 million in a package of transferrable tax credits and bonds.
- However, SB509, the bill that could have provided those funds and provisions, did not advance in the four-month session of the Nevada Legislature.
- A special session could potentially be called before 2025, but Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo did not list the A’s bill as part of the agenda. If a vote for SB509 gets pushed to 2025, it throws a wrench into A’s president Dave Kaval’s hopes to begin construction in 2024 and play in a new stadium by the 2027 season.
The other side: Oakland fans announced a “reverse boycott” effort in April, with the intention of illustrating the team’s local support. Some view the legislature’s delay as a victory, encouraging fans to continue advocating for the team to remain in the Bay Area.
- An online crowd-funding effort raised more than $25,000 to distribute thousands of T-shirts urging owner John Fisher to sell the team. The display is scheduled for June 13, when the Athletics host the Tampa Bay Rays at the Coliseum.
